Kelly's Affordable Luxe

High-Maintenance Habits That Make Life Feel Effortless (And Luxe)

Because “low-maintenance” is often the result of intentional planning, not laziness.

What if being low-maintenance wasn’t about doing less, but about doing the right things, once, so your daily life runs smoother, faster, and with way more ease? That’s the philosophy behind Kelly’s Affordable Luxe: making smart, intentional investments so you can feel polished, calm, and prepared, every day.

Here are the high-maintenance habits I swear by, not because I love extra effort, but because they actually save me time, money, and stress in the long run.

💅 1. Monthly Nail Appointments

I book a professional manicure every four weeks. It might seem like a splurge, but for me, it’s peace of mind. No last-minute stress before events, no chipped polish disasters, and I always feel that bit more polished, even in loungewear.

Luxe tip: Opt for BIAB or gel overlays. They last longer and reduce maintenance in between. I opt for a natural gel overlay so even when it grows out its hard to tell (and means I can stretch the time between appointments)

💇‍♀️ 2. Salon Hair Days

Blow drying my hair myself? Hours of my life I’ll never get back. I choose to go to a salon, not because I can’t DIY, but because it frees up time and leaves me feeling my best. Fewer bad hair days = better energy all week.

Affordable luxe strategy: Look for new-stylist discounts or blow-dry memberships to save.

🧴 3. At-Home Brow Lamination & Tinting

This is my favourite beauty shortcut. For about £15, I can laminate and tint my brows at home, and the results genuinely rival salon treatments. It gives my face definition and polish with zero effort in the morning — no pencilling or gels needed.

Budget breakdown: £15 every 2–3 months vs. £40+ every 4 weeks at a salon. You do the math.

✨ 4. Laser Hair Removal

This one takes planning, but it pays off. After a few sessions, I haven’t picked up a razor or booked a wax in years. The cost up front can feel steep, but the time saved and confidence gained? Worth every penny.

Luxe mind shift: Long-term savings and ease > short-term spending fear.

💡 It’s Not Laziness — It’s Lifestyle Design

Being “low-maintenance” is often about working smarter, not harder. These routines aren’t about vanity, they’re about building a life that feels calm, easy, and intentional. Because luxury isn’t always about spending more. It’s about living well — and wisely.

How to Apply This to Your Life

• Start with one habit that causes you the most stress or effort.
• Is it your hair? Your daily routine? Your wardrobe?
• Can you simplify it with one upfront decision?
• Is there a DIY version you can master?
• Would outsourcing this give you back hours you’d rather spend elsewhere?

Intentionality is at the heart of affordable luxury. And often, the smartest thing you can invest in isn’t a product, it’s your peace of mind.

Luxury isn’t just cashmere and caviar. Sometimes, it’s having the energy to show up as your best self, without the morning rush or last-minute panic. And that kind of ease? You can absolutely build it.